Combination cutter and server

ABSTRACT

A combination cutter and server includes a first thin flexible blade having front and rear opposite ends; a second thin flexible blade having front and rear opposite ends; a connecting section which connects together the front end of the first thin blade and the front end of the second thin blade; a first handle connected to the rear end of the first thin blade; and a second handle connected to the rear end of the second thin blade and being unconnected with the first handle, the first handle being coplanar with the first thin blade in an unbiased condition of the combination cutter and server, and the second handle being coplanar with the second thin blade in an unbiased condition of the combination cutter and server; only rear ends of the first and second handles being in contact with other to form the combination cutter and server into a first geometric cutting configuration when the first and second handles are initially moved toward each other to an initial biased position; and the first and second handles being in contact with other along substantially entire lengths thereof to form the combination cutter and server into a second, different geometric cutting configuration when the first and second handles are further moved toward each other from the initial biased position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to food cutters and food serverswhich are highly stable during both cutting and serving operations.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Conventionally, a slice of food such as a slice of cake isdefined by at least two cuts made by a knife on opposite sides thereof.A spatula, cake server or other similar instrument is then placed underthe slice to remove and serve the slice. This, however, results in arelatively complicated operation for serving each slice. In addition,the slices are not always served as whole pieces. That is, they oftenfall apart after cutting but prior to placement on a plate.

[0005] Cake cutting and serving devices which are able to concurrentlycut both sides of a slice and then engage the cut slice for removal areknown from, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,264,486 (Smith et al), U.S.Pat. No. 2,600,646 (Haugland), U.S. Pat. No. 2,770,035 (O'Brien), U.S.Pat. No. 2,841,868 (O'Brien) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,138 (Piche), andDes. 248,271 (McGee, III).

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 2,264,486 (Smith et al) discloses handles that areoffset at an angle from the cutting blades. Therefore, the cuttingblades can only cut a large triangular sector whose dimensions can notbe altered. This is very limiting, particularly in view of the manydifferent sizes and shapes of cakes to be cut.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 2,600,646 to Haugland discloses curved handles thatdo not extend in the same plane as the blades. In such arrangement, toform a substantially triangular piece of cake, which is the conventionalshape of a piece of cake, the handles are not in contact with eachother, thereby making secure gripping of the device more difficult.Although the handles can be pressed further toward each other so thatthe handles are in contact with each other, there is contact of thehandles only at the front ends thereof, and also, such secure contact ofthe handles occurs only when cutting a thin rectangular piece, not atriangular piece.

[0008] The remaining above-identified patents provide more complicatedand/or less versatile cake cutters and servers.

[0009] Other related cake cutters are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.1,104,718 (Trevisan), U.S. Pat. No. 2,403,190 (Parraga), U.S. Pat. No.3,045,347 (Elias et al) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,159 (Fuenzalida). While,these cake cutters cut cake, they do not remove and serve the slices.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to providea combination cutter and server which overcomes the aforementionedproblems.

[0011] It is another object of the present invention to provide acombination cutter and server that can cut, for example a cake, into aplurality of slices and remove each slice for serving immediately afterthe slice has been cut.

[0012] It is still another object of the present invention to provide acombination cutter and server in which the shape of the slice that iscut can be altered by compressing the cutter and server handles towardeach other in varying amounts.

[0013] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide acombination cutter and server in which the handles of the device are incontact with each other in a stable condition in at least two differentconditions for cutting and serving two different shaped slices of food.

[0014] It is a further object of the present invention to provide acombination cutter and server that is easy and economical to use andmanufacture.

[0015] According to the present invention, a combination cutter andserver, includes a first thin flexible blade having front and rearopposite ends; a second thin flexible blade having front and rearopposite ends; a connecting section which couples the front end of thefirst thin blade and the front end of the second thin blade; a firsthandle connected to the rear end of the first thin blade; and a secondhandle connected to the rear end of the second thin blade and beingunconnected with the first handle. The first handle is coplanar with thefirst thin blade in an unbiased condition of the combination cutter andserver, and the second handle is coplanar with the second thin blade inan unbiased condition of the combination cutter and server. Only rearends of the first and second handles are in contact with one another toform the combination cutter and server into a first geometric cuttingconfiguration when the first and second handles are initially movedtoward each other to an initial biased position. Further, the first andsecond handles are in contact with other along substantially entirelengths thereof to form the combination cutter and server into a secondgeometric cutting configuration, which is different from the firstgeometric cutting configuration, when the first and second handles arefurther moved toward each other from the initial biased position.

[0016] In one embodiment, the blades are formed by a thin, flat andflexible sheet of metal which is bent at a center section thereof so asto form the two blades which diverge away from each other at a slightlyrounded nose section. Upper edges of the blades, beginning from the nosesection to an approximate mid-point of each blade, are cut away to forman upwardly curved upper edge portion. Each blade has a generallyrectangular shape, and a straight, non-serrated bottom edge. Preferably,the diverging angle is approximately 20 degrees, Preferably, the firstgeometric cutting configuration is a substantially triangular shape andthe second geometric cutting configuration is a substantiallyrectangular shape.

[0017] In a second embodiment, the blades are formed by a thin, flat andflexible sheet of metal which is bent into a U-shape having the firstand second blades substantially parallel and spaced apart from eachother in an unbiased condition of the combination cutter and server, anda center connecting blade which connects opposite ends of the first andsecond blades together and is oriented substantially perpendicular tothe first and second blades. Again, each blade has a generallyrectangular shape. Upper edges of the first and second blades, beginningat an attachment to the center connecting blade, to a point of eachfirst and second blade which is approximately one-third of the lengththereof, are cut away to form an upwardly curved upper edge portion.Preferably, the first geometric cutting configuration is a substantiallytrapezoidal shape and the second geometric cutting configuration is asubstantially reverse triangular shape.

[0018] The above and other objects, features and advantages of thepresent invention will become readily apparent from the followingdetailed description thereof which is to be read in connection with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019]FIG. 1 is a top, front, right side perspective view of acombination cake cutter and server according to a first embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0020]FIG. 2 is a front elevational view thereof;

[0021]FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view thereof;

[0022]FIG. 4 is a right side elevational view thereof, the left sideelevational view being a mirror image;

[0023]FIG. 5 is a top plan view thereof;

[0024]FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view thereof;

[0025]FIG. 7 is a top plan view thereof in a partially compressedcondition;

[0026]FIG. 8 is a top plan view thereof in a fully compressed condition;

[0027]FIG. 9 is a top, front, right side perspective view of acombination cake cutter and server according to a second embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0028]FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the second embodiment;

[0029]FIG. 11 is a rear elevational view of the second embodiment;

[0030]FIG. 12 is a right side elevational view of the second embodiment,the left side elevational view being a mirror image;

[0031]FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the second embodiment; FIG. 14 is abottom plan view of the second embodiment;

[0032]FIG. 15 is a top plan view thereof in a partially compressedcondition;

[0033]FIG. 16 is a top plan view thereof in a fully compressedcondition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] Referring to the drawings in detail, and initially to FIGS. 1-8,a combination cutter and server 10 according to a first embodiment ofthe present invention includes a thin, flat and flexible sheet of metal12 which is bent at a center section thereof so as to form two blades 14and 16 which diverge away from each other at a slightly rounded nosesection 18 in an unbiased condition of the combination cake cutter andserver 10. The diverging angle is shown in the drawings as beingapproximately 20 degrees, although the present invention is not limitedthereby. Each blade 14 and 16 has a generally rectangular shape withstraight, non-serrated bottom edges 20. For example, the blades 14 and16 can each have a length of about 13.5 cm and a height of about 4.5 cm.The upper edges of blades 14 and 16, beginning from nose section 18 toapproximately the mid-point of each blade 14 and 16, are cut away by thesame amount, to form an upwardly curved upper edge portion 22.

[0035] Thin, flat sheet of metal 12 also includes rear extensionportions 24 that extend rearwardly as continuations of upper portions ofblades 14 and 16. Handles 26 are secured to rear extension portions 24.Handles 26 extend linearly, that is, not in a curved manner, and areconnected with rear extension portions 24 so as to extend in the sameplanes as blades 14 and 16. For example, handles 26 can include slots 28for receiving rear extension portions 24 therein, with transverse rivets30 being provided through handles 26 and rear extension portions 24 tosecure handles 26 to rear extension portions 24.

[0036] Handles 26 extend in the same plane as blades 14 and 16. As aresult, when handles 26 are compressed by a user, the rear ends 26 a ofhandles 26 first come into contact with each other. In such arrangement,as shown in FIG. 7, blades 14 and 16 bend in a slightly arcuateconfiguration, thereby still cutting a substantially triangular piece ofcake, while at the same time, providing a secure gripping arrangementthat does not change shape. In contrast in the prior art, in order toform a substantially triangular piece of cake, which is the conventionalshape of a piece of cake that is cut, the handles are not in contactwith each other, thereby making secure gripping of the device moredifficult.

[0037] Further, handles 26 can be pressed further toward each other sothat the handles are in contact with each other, along substantially theentire length thereof, as shown in FIG. 8. In this position, blades 14and 16 are substantially parallel with each other. Unlike the prior art,however, where there is contact of the handles only at the front endsthereof, the handles 26 of the present invention are in contactsubstantially along the entire length thereof, providing a very securearrangement.

[0038] Thus, the present invention provides for two different cuttingshapes, namely substantially triangular (FIG. 7) and thin rectangular(FIG. 8), and in which handles 26 are in contact with each in bothpositions, providing an easy and secure holding arrangement.

[0039] The present invention also includes non-serrated bottom edges 20to blades 14 and 16. It has been found that the serrated bottom edges ofthe prior art are not necessary, in view of the very thin nature of theblades 14 and 16.

[0040] In operation, the user compresses handles 26 to the substantiallytriangular configuration of FIG. 7 or the substantially thin rectangularconfiguration of FIG. 8, such that handles 26 are in contact with eachother. For example, in the configuration of FIG. 7, the user can graspthe rear ends 26 a of handles 26 to maintain this relation, while inFIG. 8, the user can grasp the middle or forward portions of handles 26,and squeeze them together. Then, the user pushes blades 14 and 16through the cake. Combination cake cutter and server 10 can then bepulled radially outward of the cake to remove the slice of cake.Alternatively, in the arrangement of FIG. 7, handles 26 can becompressed slightly more toward each other to compress slightly againstthe sides of the slice of cake for easier removal of the same.

[0041] Of course, it will be appreciated that the present invention isnot limited by the above operation. For example, if larger angledtriangular sectors are to be cut from the cake, blades 14 and 16 ofcombination cake cutter and server 10 can be pushed through the cake ina condition where handles 26 are not in contact with each other. In suchcase, handles 26 can be compressed slightly more toward each other tocompress slightly against the sides of the slice of cake for easierremoval of the same.

[0042] Referring now to FIGS. 9-16, there is shown a combination cakecutter and server 110 according to another embodiment of the presentinvention, in which elements corresponding to those of combination cakecutter and server 10 are identified by the same reference numeralsaugmented by 100, and accordingly, a detailed description of the commonelements will not be made herein for the sake of brevity.

[0043] Specifically, combination cake cutter and server 110 includes athin, flat and flexible sheet of metal 112 which is bent into a U-shapehaving two substantially parallel, spaced apart blades 114 and 116 and acenter connecting blade 118 which connects opposite ends of blades 114and 116 together and is oriented substantially perpendicular to blades114 and 116, in an unbiased condition of combination cake cutter andserver 110. Each blade 114, 116 and 118 has a generally rectangularshape with a straight, non-serrated bottom edge 120. As an example,blades 114 and 116 can each have a length of about 10.5 cm and a heightof about 4.5 cm, while blade 118 can have a length of about 6 cm and aheight of about 2.5 cm. The upper edges of blades 114 and 116, beginningwith the attachment to center connecting blade 118, to a point of eachblade 114 and 116 which is approximately one-third of the lengththereof, are cut away by the same amount, to form an upwardly curvedupper edge portion 122.

[0044] Thin, flat sheet of metal 112 also includes rear extensionportions 124 that extend rearwardly as continuations of upper portionsof blades 114 and 116. Handles 126 are secured to rear extensionportions 124. Handles 126 extend linearly, that is, not in a curvedmanner, and are connected with rear extension portions 124 so as toextend in the same planes as blades 114 and 116. For example, handles126 can include slots 128 for receiving rear extension portions 124therein, with transverse rivets 130 being provided through handles 126and rear extension portions 124 to secure handles 126 to rear extensionportions 124.

[0045] As with the first embodiment, handles 126 extend in the sameplane as blades 114 and 116. As a result, when handles 126 arecompressed, the rear ends 126 a of handles 126 first come into contactwith each other. In such arrangement, as shown in FIG. 15, blades 114and 116 bend or flex inwardly from center connecting blade 118, butmaintain their planar configuration, in order to cut a substantiallytrapezoidal piece of cake, while at the same time, providing a securegripping arrangement that does not change shape.

[0046] Further, handles 126 can be pressed further toward each other sothat the handles are in contact with each other, along substantially theentire length thereof, as shown in FIG. 16. In this position, blades 114and 116 are substantially parallel with each other. Thus, handles 126 ofthe present invention are in contact substantially along the entirelength thereof, providing a very secure arrangement. In thisarrangement, a substantially reverse triangular piece of cake is cut.

[0047] Thus, the present invention provides for two different cuttingshapes, namely substantially trapezoidal (FIG. 15) and substantiallyreverse triangular (FIG. 16), and in which handles 126 are in contactwith each in either position, providing an easy and secure holdingarrangement.

[0048] In operation, the user compresses handles 126 to thesubstantially trapezoidal configuration of FIG. 15 or the substantiallyreverse triangular configuration of FIG. 16, such that handles 126 arein contact with each other. For example, in the configuration of FIG.15, the user can grasp the rear ends 126 a of handles 126 to maintainthis relation, while in FIG. 16, the user can grasp the middle orforward portions of handles 126, and squeeze them together. Then, theuser pushes blades 114, 116 and 118 through the cake. Combination cakecutter and server 110 can then be pulled radially outward of the cake toremove the slice of cake. Alternatively, in the arrangement of FIG. 15,handles 126 can be compressed slightly more toward each other tocompress slightly against the sides of the slice of cake for easierremoval of the same.

[0049] Of course, it will be appreciated that the present invention isnot limited by the above description. For example, if larger angledsectors are to be cut from the cake, blades 114 and 116 of combinationcake cutter and server 110 can be pushed through the cake in a conditionwhere handles 126 are not in contact with each other. For example, asubstantially rectangular piece of cake can be cut in the configurationof FIG. 5. In such case, handles 126 can be compressed slightly moretoward each other to compress slightly against the sides of the slice ofcake for easier removal of the same.

[0050] Having described specific preferred embodiments of the inventionwith reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be appreciated thatthe present invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, andthat various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one ofordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope or spirit ofthe invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, the cutterand server of the present invention need not be used only for cuttingand serving cake, but could also be utilized for cutting and serving anysuitable food.

What is claimed is:
 1. A combination cutter and server, comprising: a first thin flexible blade having front and rear opposite ends; a second thin flexible blade having front and rear opposite ends; a connecting section which connects together the front end of the first thin blade and the front end of the second thin blade; a first handle connected to the rear end of the first thin blade; a second handle connected to the rear end of the second thin blade and being unconnected with said first handle; the first handle being coplanar with the first thin blade in an unbiased condition of the combination cutter and server and the second handle being coplanar with the second thin blade in an unbiased condition of the combination cutter and server; only rear ends of the first and second handles being in contact with other to form said combination cutter and server into a first geometric cutting configuration when said first and second handles are initially moved toward each other to an initial biased position; and said first and second handles being in contact with each other along substantially entire lengths thereof to form said combination cutter and server into a second, different geometric cutting configuration when said first and second handles are further moved toward each other from said initial biased position.
 2. A combination cutter and server according to claim 1, wherein said blades are formed by a thin, flat and flexible sheet of metal which is bent at a center section thereof so as to form said two blades which diverge away from each other at a slightly rounded nose section.
 3. A combination cutter and server according to claim 2, wherein upper edges of the blades, beginning from the nose section to an approximately mid-point of each blade, are cut away to form an upwardly curved upper edge portion.
 4. A combination cutter and server according to claim 2, wherein each blade has a generally rectangular shape.
 5. A combination cutter and server according to claim 2, wherein the diverging angle is approximately 20 degrees.
 6. A combination cutter and server according to claim 2, wherein the first geometric cutting configuration is a substantially triangular shape and the second geometric cutting configuration is a substantially rectangular shape.
 7. A combination cutter and server according to claim 1, wherein each blade has a substantially straight, non-serrated bottom edge.
 8. A combination cutter and server according to claim 1, wherein said blades are formed by a thin, flat and flexible sheet of metal which is bent into a U-shape having said first and second blades substantially parallel and spaced apart from each other in an unbiased condition of said combination cutter and server, and a center connecting blade which connects opposite ends of said first and second blades together and is oriented substantially perpendicular to said first and second blades.
 9. A combination cutter and server according to claim 8, wherein each blade has a generally rectangular shape.
 10. A combination cutter and server according to claim 8, wherein upper edges of the first and second blades, beginning at an attachment to the center connecting blade, to a point of each first and second blade which is approximately one-third of the length thereof, are cut away to form an upwardly curved upper edge portion.
 11. A combination cutter and server according to claim 8, wherein the first geometric cutting configuration is a substantially trapezoidal shape and the second geometric cutting configuration is a substantially reverse triangular shape. 